bp has appointed Albert Manifold as its new chair of the company, replacing Helge Lund.

He will join the oil and gas giant’s board on 1 September as non-executive director and chair-elect, and will take over as chair on 1 October, when Lund will step down as chair and as a director on the bp board.

Manifold recently served as chief executive officer at CRH between January 2014 and December 2024. Under his leadership, the firm was able to strategically reshape its portfolio and deliver growth.

He is also a non-executive director at the New York-listed global chemicals producer, LyondellBasell and at the privately-owned engineering consultancy, Mercury Engineering.

Senior independent director at bp, Dame Amanda Blanc, said: "I am delighted that following a rigorous and comprehensive global search we have been able to appoint Manifold as our new chair. His impressive track record of shareholder value creation at CRH demonstrates he is the ideal candidate to oversee bp's next chapter.

"Albert has a relentless focus on performance which is well suited to bp's needs now and into the future. He transformed and refocused CRH into a global leader by building on its rich heritage to deliver superior growth, cash generation and returns.

"On behalf of the company, I would also like to thank Lund for his leadership and dedicated service to bp throughout the past seven years. His contribution through a period of immense change has been invaluable."

Manifold added: "It is an honour to be appointed chair of one of the world's great energy companies, and to have the opportunity to help the company reach its full potential. bp has a vital role to play in addressing the world's growing energy needs. I look forward to working with the bp board, Murray Auchincloss and the leadership team to accelerate delivery of bp's strategy and drive compelling and sustainable shareholder value creation."

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